3.8.2 - Gene Expression Flashcards
1
Q
totipotent cells
A
- can divide and produce any type of body cell
- occur only for a limited time in early mammalian embryos
- translate only part of their DNA during development, resulting in cell specialisation
2
Q
pluripotent cells
A
- can divide in unlimited numbers
- can be used in treating human disorders
- found in embryos
3
Q
multipotent cells
A
- found in mature mammals
- can divide to form a limited number of different cell types
4
Q
unipotent cells
A
- found in mature mammals
- can divide to form a limited number of different cell types
- e.g. formation of cardiomyocytes
5
Q
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)
A
- can be produced from adult somatic cells
- using appropriate protein transcription factors
6
Q
role of steroid hormone oestrogen in initiating transcription
A
…
7
Q
define what is meant by epigenetics
A
- heritable changes in gene function
- without changes to the base sequence of DNA
8
Q
give one way in which benign tumours differ from malignant tumours
A
- cells of benign tumours cannot spread to other parts of the body
- cells of benign tumours cannot invade neighbouring tissues
9
Q
explain how the methylation of tumour suppressor genes can lead to cancer
A
- methylation prevents transcription of gene
- protein not produced that prevents cell division/causes cell death/apoptosis
- no control of mitosis
10
Q
explain how increased methylation could lead to cancer
A
- methyl groups (could be) added to a tumour suppressor gene
- transcription of tumour suppressor genes is inhibited
- leading to uncontrolled cell division
11
Q
describe how alterations to tumour suppressor genes can lead to the development of tumours
A
- (increased) methylation (of tumour suppressor genes)
- mutation (in tumour suppressor genes)
- tumour suppressor genes are not transcribed/expressed
- amino acid sequence/primary structure altered
- (results in) rapid/uncontrollable cell division
